COLLAPSE OF ROADWAY CUTS OFF STATE PARK

RIFLE» A section of highway on the Western Slope has collapsed, cutting off access to Rifle Gap State Park and the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery.

A 200-foot section of Colorado 325 collapsed, taking out the northbound lane, state officials said.

Access is limited. Anyone who had planned to visit the state park or the fish hatchery should make alternative plans and avoid the area, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The agency said it will advise campers planning to stay at the park about the status of their reservation and help find alternative locations for recreation.

Excessive runoff and accumulation of underground water led to the collapse, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. The collapse happened Thursday night north of Rifle, about seven miles north of Colorado 13.

Colorado 325 has been closed to all through traffic in the area. Alternate routes are through Silt and New Castle.

Large crack on eastbound U.S. 36 forces emergency repairs.

A crack in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 36 near Westminster has forced crews to begin emergency repairs and move traffic over to the shoulder.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said the work was near Church Ranch Boulevard and has closed all lanes of eastbound traffic, with cars being diverted to the right shoulder.

CDOT said the emergency work could last through the weekend, and commuters should expect significant delays.

Old Fall River Road opens to vehicles.

ROCKY

Old Fall River Road is now open to vehicle traffic for the season after winter conditions delayed its normal opening of July 4.

According to Kyle Patterson, public affairs officer for the park, the snow that accumulated as recently as June 23 delayed plowing and maintenance of the road.

Built between 1913 and 1920, Old Fall River Road is an unpaved, winding road that travels through RMNP from the Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass. Because of the technical nature of the road’s design, vehicles longer than 25 feet as well as vehicles pulling trailers are not allowed to travel on the road.

Patterson said the road is expected to close for the season Oct. 7.

Man who died on Maroon Peak identified as 61-year-old from Summit County.

James Hasse of Summit County was identified as the man who died Wednesday after a 200-foot fall on Maroon Peak, according to the Pitkin County coroner’s office.

Hasse, 61, died of a blunt force head injury, Coroner Steve Ayers said Friday in anewsrelease.

The climbing accident happened at approximately 12,600 feet on the standard route of Maroon Peak.

Pitkin County emergency dispatchers were first alerted just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to a sheriff’s news release.

The “two surviving members of the climbing party were still on the mountain and had attempted to resuscitate the fallen climber but were unsuccessful in their efforts,” the news release states. — Staff and wire reports